Sentry and door winch assembly

ABSTRACT

A flagpole assembly comprising a flagpole body having an aperture disposed in the side thereof, an internal fastening plate, disposed within the flagpole body, an external fastening plate and door assembly and a set of threaded fasteners securing the flagpole assembly together. A cleat or winch mount may be secured to the internal fastening plate, having a winch secured thereto for securement of the flag lanyard inside the flagpole body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to flagpole winches and cleats, and specifically to a flagpole winch or cleat mounted internally to a flagpole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flags are displayed for many different reasons, on many different occasions and in many different ways. In some situations, such as when the flagpole is inaccessible, it is desirable to use a flagpole in which the flag can be raised and lowered using winches and so forth. Various types of flagpoles have been developed.

It is often desirable to substantially eliminate exposed halyard, especially while the flag is flying. There are flagpole assemblies in which the halyard remains substantially concealed from view but allows the flag to be raised and lowered. The flagpole assembly includes a hollow pole mounted at its base to a support. A first end of a halyard is connected to a winch. The winch is typically mounted near the base of the pole. The halyard passes through the hollow pole and out an exit opening at the pole tip.

Paying out the halyard from the winch causes the flag to lower as the length of the halyard extending from the exit opening in the hollow pole increases. The halyard is retracted by winding the halyard onto the winch. If the halyard has a flag attached to it, the flag is raised by this operation. If not, substantially the entire halyard is housed within the hollow pole or on the halyard winch.

A primary advantage of this design is that it simplifies raising and lowering of a flag while keeping the halyard substantially concealed. Keeping the halyard substantially concealed reduces the deterioration of the halyard by preventing its exposure to the elements. It also eliminates problems caused by tangled halyards and flags.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment, the present invention is a flagpole assembly incorporating a flagpole body, an internal fastening plate, an external fastening plate, and at least one threaded fastener.

The flagpole body is generally-cylindrical and hollow, having a first end, a second end, a principal axis, an inner surface, an outer surface and an aperture disposed in the side thereof. The aperture passes from the inner surface to the outer surface along a radial axis substantially orthogonal to the principal axis. At least one internal fastener passage passes from the inner surface to the outer surface.

The internal fastening plate is disposed at least partly within the flagpole body, and has an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed therein and at least one threaded fastening hole generally aligned to an internal fastener passage in the flagpole body. The external fastening plate is disposed at least partly outside of the flagpole body, and has an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed therein and at least one external fastener passage generally aligned to an internal fastener passage in the flagpole body. The threaded fastener is disposed partly within an external fastener passage, partly within an internal fastener passage and partly within a threaded fastening hole.

In a second embodiment, the present invention is a flagpole assembly including a flagpole body, an internal fastening plate, an external fastening plate, at least two threaded fasteners and a winch mount.

The generally-cylindrical, hollow flagpole body has a first end, a second end, a principal axis, an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed in the side thereof, passing from the inner surface to the outer surface along a radial axis substantially orthogonal to the principal axis. The flagpole body includes at least two internal fastener passages passing from the inner surface to the outer surface.

The internal fastening plate is disposed at least partly within the flagpole body, and has an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed therein and at least two threaded fastening holes, each generally aligned to an internal fastener passage in the flagpole body. The external fastening plate is disposed at least partly outside of the flagpole body, and has an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed therein and at least two external fastener passages, each generally aligned to an internal fastener passage in the flagpole body.

Each of the threaded fasteners is disposed partly within an external fastener passage, partly within an internal fastener passage and partly within a threaded fastening hole. The winch mount is secured to one or more of the internal fastening plate, the external fastening plate and the flagpole body, and has a winch secured thereto.

In a third embodiment, the present invention is a flagpole assembly including a flagpole body, an internal fastening plate, an external fastening plate and door assembly and a winch mount.

The generally-cylindrical, hollow flagpole body has a first end, a second end, a principal axis, an inner surface, an outer surface, and an aperture disposed in the side thereof at least four internal fastener passages passing from the inner surface to the outer surface. The aperture passes from the inner surface to the outer surface along a radial axis substantially orthogonal to the principal axis.

The internal fastening plate is disposed within the flagpole body, having an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed therein and at least four threaded fastening holes, each threaded fastening hole generally aligned to an internal fastener passage in the flagpole body. The external fastening plate and door assembly is disposed at least partly outside of the flagpole body, and has an inner surface, an outer surface, a door aperture having a door disposed therein and at least four external fastener passages, each external fastener passage generally aligned to an internal fastener passage in the flagpole body.

Each of the threaded fasteners is disposed partly within an external fastener passage, partly within an internal fastener passage and partly within a threaded fastening hole. The winch mount is secured to the internal fastening plate and has a winch secured thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a flagpole assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded section view of the flagpole assembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is an unexploded section view of the flagpole assembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of a flagpole assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded section view of the flagpole assembly of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5;

FIG. 6 is an unexploded section view of the flagpole assembly of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5;

FIG. 7 is a partial section view of the flagpole assembly of FIG. 4 taken along line 7-7;

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of an external plate which may be used in the flagpole assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the external plate of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial section view of the external plate of FIG. 9 taken along line 10-10;

FIG. 11 is a partial section view of the external plate to FIG. 9 taken along line 11-11;

FIG. 12 is a frontal view of an internal plate which may be used in the flagpole assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the internal plate of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a plan section view of an alternate embodiment of the flagpole assembly shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 15 is a plan section view of a second alternate embodiment of the flagpole assembly shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the description which follows like elements are marked throughout the specification and drawing with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be shown in somewhat schematic or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

Flagpole assembly 100 includes a flagpole body 102 having a principal axis 104, an inner surface 106, an outer surface 108 and an aperture 110 disposed in its side along radial axis 112, which is generally-orthogonal to principal axis 104. A set of internal fastener passages 114 are disposed adjacent to aperture 110.

Flagpole assembly 100 also includes an internal fastening plate 116 having an inner surface 118, an outer surface 120 and an aperture 122. A set of threaded fastening holes 124 is disposed about aperture 122. Each of the threaded fastening holes 124 is aligned to an internal fastener passage 114.

Flagpole assembly 100 includes an external fastening plate 126 having an inner surface 128, an outer surface 130 and a door aperture 132. A set of external fastener passages 134 is disposed in the external fastening plate 126 adjacent to the door aperture 132. Each of the external fastener passages 134 is aligned to an internal fastener passage 114 and threaded fastening hole 124. A mount 138, securing a cleat 140, is secured to an internal portion of external fastening plate 126. In alternate embodiments, a pulley, a winch or other mechanism may be secured to mount 138. A set of threaded fasteners 136 fastens the flagpole assembly 100 together.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4-7. Flagpole assembly 200 includes a flagpole body 202 having a principal axis 204, an inner surface 206, an outer surface 208 and an aperture 210 disposed in its side along radial axis 212, which is generally-orthogonal to principal axis 204. A set of internal fastener passages 214 are disposed adjacent to aperture 210.

Flagpole assembly 200 also includes an internal fastening plate 216 having an inner surface 218, an outer surface 220 and an aperture 222. A set of threaded fastening holes 224 is disposed about aperture 122. Each of the threaded fastening holes 224 is aligned to an internal fastener passage 214.

Flagpole assembly 200 includes an external fastening plate 226 having an inner surface 228, an outer surface 230 and a door aperture 232. A set of external fastener passages 234 is disposed in the external fastening plate 226 adjacent to the door aperture 232. Each of the external fastener passages 234 is aligned to an internal fastener passage 214 and threaded fastening hole 224. A mount 238, securing a winch 240, is secured to the flagpole body 202. A set of threaded fasteners 236 fastens the flagpole assembly 200 together.

The internal and external plates used in flagpole assemblies may vary from one application to another. FIG. 8 through 15 depict variations on the shapes of the internal and external plates, any of which may be operable in the flagpole assembly shown in FIG. 4.

External plate 326 has the shape of a segment of a cylinder. External plate 326 has an external surface 330, an internal surface 334 and an aperture 332 disposed in the center thereof. A set of fastening bores 334 is spaced about the aperture 332 in a generally-regular pattern. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-11, the fastening bores 334 are countersunk.

Internal plate 316 also has the general profile of a segment of a cylinder. Internal plate 316 has an internal surface 318, an external surface 320 and an aperture 322 disposed in the center thereof. A set of fastening holes 324 is spaced about the aperture 322 in a generally-regular pattern. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-11, the fastening holes 324 are threaded.

Alternate flagpole assemblies 400 and 500 are shown as examples of variations on the geometry of flagpole assembly 200. Flagpole assembly 400 includes a flagpole body 402 having an internal plate 416 and winch assembly 440 disposed therein and an external plate 426 disposed on the outside thereof. Internal plate 416 and external plate 426 are fastened to the flagpole body 402 and to one another by fasteners 436. Flagpole assembly 400 incorporates a door 442 to enclose and protect the winch assembly from the elements and tampering. Similarly, flagpole assembly 500 includes a flagpole body 502 having an internal plate 516 and winch assembly 540 disposed therein and an external plate 526 disposed on the outside thereof. Internal plate 516 and external plate 526 are fastened to the flagpole body 502 and to one another by fasteners 436. Flagpole assembly 500 incorporates a door 542 to enclose and protect the winch assembly from the elements and tampering. It can be seen that flagpole assemblies 400 and 500 employ the same basic layout as flagpole assembly 200, although the geometry of the components varies between the three, as seen in FIGS. 6, 14 and 15. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that flagpole assemblies 200, 400 and 500 are only exemplary and that other geometries may be employed.

In general, although preferred embodiments have been described herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that substitutions and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. 

1. A flagpole assembly comprising: a generally-cylindrical, hollow flagpole body having a first end, a second end, a principal axis, an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed in the side thereof, passing from the inner surface to the outer surface along a radial axis substantially orthogonal to the principal axis and at least one internal fastener passage passing from the inner surface to the outer surface; an internal fastening plate, disposed at least partly within the flagpole body, having an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed therein and at least one threaded fastening hole generally aligned to an internal fastener passage in the flagpole body; an external fastening plate, disposed at least partly outside of the flagpole body, having an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed therein and at least one external fastener passage generally aligned to an internal fastener passage in the flagpole body; and at least one threaded fastener, disposed partly within an external fastener passage, partly within an internal fastener passage and partly within a threaded fastening hole.
 2. The flagpole assembly of claim 1 wherein the internal fastening plate has an outer surface having a profile conforming to the profile of a cylinder.
 3. The flagpole assembly of claim 1 wherein the external fastening plate has an inner surface having a profile conforming to the profile of a cylinder.
 4. The flagpole assembly of claim 1 wherein there are at least two fastener passages in the flagpole body, and wherein at least one fastener passage is disposed at a first end of the aperture and at least one fastener passage is disposed at a second end of the aperture.
 5. The flagpole assembly of claim 1 wherein there are at least four fastener passages in the flagpole body, and wherein the fastener passages are disposed in at least one regular pattern about the aperture.
 6. The flagpole assembly of claim 5 wherein the fastener passages are disposed in at least four linear patterns about the aperture, with each pattern comprising two or more fastener passages.
 7. The flagpole assembly of claim 1 wherein the external fastener passages in the external fastening plate are countersunk.
 8. A flagpole assembly comprising: a generally-cylindrical, hollow flagpole body having a first end, a second end, a principal axis, an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed in the side thereof, passing from the inner surface to the outer surface along a radial axis substantially orthogonal to the principal axis and at least two internal fastener passages passing from the inner surface to the outer surface; an internal fastening plate, disposed at least partly within the flagpole body, having an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed therein and at least two threaded fastening holes, each generally aligned to an internal fastener passage in the flagpole body; an external fastening plate, disposed at least partly outside of the flagpole body, having an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed therein and at least two external fastener passages, each generally aligned to an internal fastener passage in the flagpole body; at least two threaded fasteners, each disposed partly within an external fastener passage, partly within an internal fastener passage and partly within a threaded fastening hole; and a winch mount, secured to one or more of the internal fastening plate, the external fastening plate and the flagpole body, having a winch secured thereto.
 9. The flagpole assembly of claim 8 wherein the internal fastening plate has an outer surface having a profile conforming to the profile of a cylinder.
 10. The flagpole assembly of claim 8 wherein the external fastening plate has an inner surface having a profile conforming to the profile of a cylinder.
 11. The flagpole assembly of claim 8 wherein there are at least two fastener passages in the flagpole body, and wherein at least one fastener passage is disposed at a first end of the aperture and at least one fastener passage is disposed at a second end of the aperture.
 12. The flagpole assembly of claim 8 wherein there are at least four fastener passages in the flagpole body, and wherein the fastener passages are disposed in at least one regular pattern about the aperture.
 13. The flagpole assembly of claim 12 wherein the fastener passages are disposed in at least four linear patterns about the aperture, with each pattern comprising two or more fastener passages.
 14. The flagpole assembly of claim 8 wherein the external fastener passages in the external fastening plate are countersunk.
 15. A flagpole assembly comprising: a generally-cylindrical, hollow flagpole body having a first end, a second end, a principal axis, an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed in the side thereof, passing from the inner surface to the outer surface along a radial axis substantially orthogonal to the principal axis and at least four internal fastener passages passing from the inner surface to the outer surface; an internal fastening plate, disposed within the flagpole body, having an inner surface, an outer surface, an aperture disposed therein and at least four threaded fastening holes, each threaded fastening hole generally aligned to an internal fastener passage in the flagpole body; an external fastening plate and door assembly, disposed at least partly outside of the flagpole body, having an inner surface, an outer surface, a door aperture having a door disposed therein and at least four external fastener passages, each external fastener passage generally aligned to an internal fastener passage in the flagpole body; at least four threaded fasteners, each disposed partly within an external fastener passage, partly within an internal fastener passage and partly within a threaded fastening hole; and a winch mount, secured to the internal fastening plate, having a winch secured thereto.
 16. The flagpole assembly of claim 15 wherein the internal fastening plate has an outer surface having a profile conforming to the profile of a cylinder.
 17. The flagpole assembly of claim 15 wherein the external fastening plate has an inner surface having a profile conforming to the profile of a cylinder.
 18. The flagpole assembly of claim 15 wherein there are at least two fastener passages in the flagpole body, and wherein at least one fastener passage is disposed at a first end of the aperture and at least one fastener passage is disposed at a second end of the aperture.
 19. The flagpole assembly of claim 15 wherein there are at least four fastener passages in the flagpole body, and wherein the fastener passages are disposed in at least one regular pattern about the aperture.
 20. The flagpole assembly of claim 19 wherein the fastener passages are disposed in at least four linear patterns about the aperture, with each pattern comprising two or more fastener passages. 